Dear Editor:In response to “Atheists in Foxholes”(March 1) and “Lord Have Mercy!”(March 4) let’s have respectful dialogue.

I was raised Christian, became atheist in adolescence and am now Pagan. I value what I’ve learned from all three beliefs, giving me uncommon perspective on interfaith relations. Religion, or lack thereof, need not be a battle. Nobody needs to win or lose. We can coexist peacefully by agreeing to disagree and cooperating in public life.

Mr. Wheat’s assertion that atheists “suppress the beliefs of those of any faith” is unfounded. Many atheists have been champions of freedom. If anyone has had to “circle the wagons,” it’s been the people of non-Abrahamic beliefs – atheist, Pagan and other.

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Christianity is still the majority religion. The president is a reactionary Christian. Current religious freedoms pose little threat to their “dominion.” Only recently has moderate religious freedom for non-Abrahamic beliefs emerged. After centuries of theocracy, you call us oppressors for asking public schools to stop forcing all children to pledge allegiance to your God? You object when religious texts are removed from supposedly secular courts? Your views on secularism might change if you were asked to submit to oaths and courts of non-Christian faiths.

Worst of all was your comparison of atheists to Nazis. Hitler was supposedly Christian. However, I don’t blame Christians for him, just as I don’t blame atheists for Stalin or Muslims for Osama bin Laden. We shouldn’t let fanatics divide us. Instead, let’s find common ground in our quest for peace

I encourage Christians, Jews, Muslims, Pagans, atheists and others to organize public dialogue rather than assuming you’re under siege. I’ll gladly help to organize forums or panel discussions. If we respond to fanaticism with dialogue rather than bickering, we’ll create a society where all of us feel safe and free.